If you are looking for a lightweight, nourishing shampoo that won’t leave your tresses stripped but will still provide a deep clean, the Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo is about to become your new BFF.
Selecting the right shampoo can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many products on the market that promise you silky, shiny and manageable tresses. If you’ve got textured, curly or fine hair, detergents often found in shampoos can lead to dryness and frizz, making it essential to find a sulfate-free option.
The popularity of the Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo has boomed in recent years as a gentle cleanser that helps prevent hair knotting, giving daily hair care a more enjoyable twist. This shampoo is designed to wash your hair without it being stripped of its natural oils, prevent tangles, and give you beautiful hair as a result.
If you are someone whose hair care routine needs some improvement, you should read our guide on getting healthy hair naturally for tips and tricks to ensure you have beautiful vibrant locks.
I’ll discuss my full thoughts on this sulfate-free formula in this review, including what makes it so special, the ingredients it uses, how it stacks up against other popular cleansers. In the end, you’ll know if it is the curling iron for your hair care regime.
Did You Know?
Sulfate-free detangling shampoos, including this one, are made with gentler cleansing agents, or surfactants, to wash hair without massively lathering or abruptly stripping away its moisture, thereby helping keep hair and scalp in better shape.
At a Glance: What You Need to Know
Feature | Summary |
---|---|
Product Type | Sulfate-Free Detangling Shampoo |
Key Benefits | Gentle cleansing, detangles, moisturizes, adds shine |
Suitable Hair Types | Curly, coily, textured, dry, chemically treated |
Not Suitable For | Those seeking a very deep or clarifying clean |
Price Range | Mid-range |
A Closer Look: Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

One such product is the Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo which is a favourite for many who want a product that can cleanse and detangle while adding moisture to the hair.
Here’s a breakdown of what this shampoo provides:
- Sulfate free to gently cleanse without stripping natural oils
- For dryness, frizz, and scalp irritation
- Almond and avocado oils for healthy hair that is long, strong, and beautiful
- Nourish, condition, and detangle for smooth finish
- Gently cleanses and deodorizes hair and scalp without stripping natural oils from hair
- Safe for color-treated hair—no stripping or drying.
- No parabens, No paraffin, No petrolatum, No mineral oil
Ready to try it for yourself? Get the Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo here.
Key Ingredients and Their Functions
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients of design essentials shampoo for natural hair that set this shampoo apart:
- Aloe Vera: Recognized to be calming and moisturizing, it helps to moisturize the scalp and hair fibers, while minimizing irritation.
- Green Tea Extract: Rich in antioxidants to stimulate and protect the scalp, for healthy scalp.
- Jojoba Oil: contains properties that provide a similar structure to the natural oils of the scalp to add softness and shine while not weighing the hair down.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine: A coconut-derived surfactant that is gentle on the hair and adds mild cleansing properties, causing little to no moisture loss.
- Glycerin: A natural humectant that helps hair retain moisture, promoting hydration and preventing dryness.
- Sulfate Free: This sulfate free shampoo and conditioner set contain all natural and organic ingredients to help promote a healthy scalp and hair including Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Provitamin B5, Tea Tree Oil, Licorice Extract and more.
First Look: My Thoughts on the Packaging
The sulfate-free detangling shampoo, with its thick consistency and opalescent appearance, comes in a solid plastic bottle, capped with a flip that’s easy to open with slippery hands. The packaging is attractive with a black top and slim profile, and the label makes it clear that it’s “sulfate-free” and “detangling.”
The bottle is compact enough for travel and fits easily on your night stand if you’re the type who wants to take it with you everywhere. It’s working, not flashy, which I liked because the emphasis is on the quality of products, not gimmicks.
Who Should Try this Shampoo?
This shampoo is ideal if you:
- Curly, coily or textured hair that craves moisture and shine, but must be conditioned and treated gently.
- Opt for sulfate-free products to steer clear of parchedness and scalp irritation
- If you love your wash days to be smoother and tangle-free.
- Try keeping skin moist even when cleansing.
- Are chemically treated or color treated but need a gentler alternative.
How I Use It for Best Results

Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo is easy to use. Here is a simple guide to help you make the most of the experience:
- Start with wet hair.
- Massage the shampoo into your scalp and hair.
- Rub the shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips.
- Apply the shampoo on your hair concentrating it on the lengths and ends.
- Leave the shampoo on for a minute for the best results.
- Scrub it all off with lots of warm water.
- Follow up with your preferred conditioner or hair treatment to maximize results.
Pair It With
For best results, we recommend pairing this moisturizing shampoo with the Design Essentials Hydrating Conditioner or the Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Deep Conditioning Treatment for added moisture and manageability.
User Reviews: What People Are Saying
Those with thick, curly hair are particularly gonzo about how easily this shampoo releases tangles without stripping their hair, keeping curls soft and springy. Friends with delicate scalps love its non-irritating, non-drying formula.
A number of users say that their hair feels clean but not stripped and moisturized, without that so-called “tight” or squeaky clean feeling common with sulfates in shampoo. But a handful say it may need to be washed more often for a deep-cleansing effect, or if you use a lot of heavy styling products.
Editor’s Note: My Skin Type & Experience
I have wavy to curly about medium thick hair, and it runs a bit dry on the ends. I used this shampoo and definitely noticed my hair was softer and less tangled after a couple of uses. It washed as it was meant to, and did not strip too many oils from my scalp, especially when accompanied with a thick conditioner.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Shampoos
The following are some comparable products available on the market along with comparing how Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo fares among top competitors. Here is a comparison of its key features and benefits as well as a few other popular picks:
Shampoo | Key Benefit | Best For |
---|---|---|
Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free | Gentle cleansing + detangling | Curly, textured, dry hair |
SheaMoisture Curl & Shine | Moisturizing and curl enhancing | Dry, frizzy curls |
Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream | Cleansing with deep moisture | Very dry, coarse hair |
Ouidad Curl Quencher | Hydrating and gentle styling prep | Fine to medium curls |
Mini Shampoo Face-Off
All in all, the Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo makes for an excellent way of cleansing your hair gently yet effectively while also detangling, if you have textured hair that is. Other shampoos may win in one category, like ultra-hydration or curl definition, but this shampoo uses a combo strategy to cling to the scant needs of several hair types and some of their common woes of tangling and dryness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sulfate-free and paraben-free
- Good detangler properties
- Specialized in moisturizing and nourishing ingredients
- Vegan and 0% cruelty, safe for all curl types
Cons
- May not lather as much as traditional shampoos
- Availability may vary by location
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Adding to Your Routine?
To sum up, I must say that the Design Essentials Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo is the best shampoo for curly hair and has been a beneficial addition to the regime for my hair. We suspect that the effective cleansing without drying it out and ability to detangle are what make this shampoo such a strong contender for the title of best shampoo for curly hair.
If you are looking for a frizz control shampoo that focuses on the health of your hair, I strongly recommend trying this product! Do you have experience using the Design Essentials natural hair shampoo? How did you experience your end? Would you try it? Tell us in the comments! And if you liked this article, then make sure to share it to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram so you can help others find their perfect shampoo!
FAQs
Can sulfate-free shampoos help reduce frizz in natural hair?
Indeed, sulfate-free shampoos, by and large, lather less and preserve natural oils, which may mean less frizz and dryness — particularly for kinky and curly hair.
How often should I wash my hair if it’s naturally curly or coily?
You usually need to wash it once or twice a week. Overwashing can be drying, so a mild, sulfate free shampoo with gentle cleansers helps to keep hair hydrated in between washes.
What is the best method for detangling hair when washing?
Use a moisturising shampoo or conditioner, then detangle gently using your fingers, or a wide-tooth comb, while the product is still in your hair, to prevent breakage.